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Third-round pick Chris Culliver has already won the spot as the nickel cornerback.

Fourth-rounder Kendall Hunter, the 10th running back selected, ranks third among rookie running backs in yards from scrimmage.

And, finally, seventh-rounder Bruce Miller has been the starting fullback in a two-week stretch during which the Niners have had back-to-back 200-yard rushing games for the first time since 1998.

So far, it’s looking like a pretty fair draft class for the 49ers. And who knows what they have in second-round pick Colin Kaepernick?

For an upcoming newspaper story about the aforementioned Fab Four (too soon?), I spoke to NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell this week to get his thoughts. The well-respected Cosell, who already studies reams of game film, is studying the Niners even more closely this season to prep for his weekly appearance on KNBR.

Smith, listed as a linebacker, has lined up primarily at defensive end. He didn’t play 3-4 outside linebacker in the Niners’ base defense until Parys Haralson left the Lions’ game with a hamstring injury):

“He’s played in their sub-packages, whether it’s nickel or dime, and he’s, for the most part, put his hand on the ground. So he’s a pass-rusher. I think he’s actually been pretty effective. Coming out of Missouri, I thought he was really violent with his hands — that he had really quick hands. I didn’t think coming out of Missouri that he had great closing speed, but people told me he was injured his last year there (he had a broken leg). He’s shown a little more of that now. I think he’s going to be a very good player.”

On if he notices a steady progression from Smith, whose 5.5 sacks have come in his past three games:

“I do. I would say that he showed great closing speed on that safety (against Detroit), which, like I said, I wasn’t sure that he could do that.”

KENDALL HUNTER

“He’s short, but he’s not small. He’s got natural power for that size. He’s got a physical running style. I thought he had burst (at Oklahoma State). I thought he had acceleration. I thought, quite honestly, there were similarities to Brian Westbrook when I watched. You know, Westbrook in his prime. I liked him a lot coming out. And you can see that there is a difference. As good as (Frank) Gore is, he’s certain kind of runner. Hunter has a lot more juice. He’s just quicker. When he gets the ball, let’s say after Gore runs and Hunter comes in and he gets the ball, he just has more juice.”

More on the differing styles of Gore and Hunter:

“Clearly, Hunter gives you something a little bit different. You go back to the Eagles game on that critical third-and-7 (on the game-winning drive), they pitch the ball to Hunter. I’m not sure Gore’s that kind of back. Hunter can get to the corner quicker.”

CHRIS CULLIVER

“In their nickel and dime sub-packages, the Niners have a strong tendency to play what we call two-man, or man-under two-deep, in which (Culliver) plays man-to-man and there’s a safety over the top. I’m not saying it’s easy to play that, but you can step right in and play that because you essentially can get beat and you have help over the top. In fact, very often you can almost allow yourself to get beat and undercut the route. That’s exactly what happened against Tampa Bay two weeks ago on (Culliver’s) interception. They were playing two-man, and he undercut the route, and he made the interception. So he’s playing in a defense that allows for an easier transition.”

More on Culliver:

“For what they do, with a lot of man-coverage concepts, with his size, with his speed, he fits right now. So, at this point in time, he’s a very valuable player on what’s a really good defense.”

BRUCE MILLER

“He was one of those glorified try-hard guys who just didn’t have enough skill for the NFL level. He was basically a 246-pound pass-rushing defensive end. He didn’t have the quickness and movement to transition to 3-4 outside backer so obviously he’s transitioning to fullback. And he’s given them really good snaps. I mean, really good snap because (Moran) Norris is out. Hey, I don’t know what happens when Norris comes back. This kid’s been an effective player.”

On Miller making the transition from defensive end in college to fullback:

“This one is a crapshoot. It’s worked out. And (49ers director of player personnel) Tommy Gamble is a really good friend of mine. But don’t let anyone tell you that they knew this would happen. This is a crapshoot when you ask a guy to change positions. No one knows that.”